Boat mishap claims 10 in Niger

A boat mishap in Shiroro Local Council of Niger State has led to the death of 10 people on the boat.

The Secretary, Coalition of Shiroro Associations, Saidu Salihu, who revealed it, in a statement, said the incident happened 4.00pm on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

Salihu disclosed that the victims, mostly traders, were conveying goods from Zongoru community of Bassa ward to Gijiwa, ahead of Friday’s market in Kuta town of Shiroro, when the incident happened.

According to the statement, 32 persons were on board as at the time the boat capsized, of which 10 persons lost their lives, with 22 rescued by local divers.

However, in his account, the Head of Information and Special Duties, Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Audu, who also confirmed the incident, said it received a report of a boat mishap in Shiroro Local council which occurred between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm.

The agency further said that 34 people were on board; 20 male passengers and 14 female passengers. While the agency also stated that 10 people lost their lives in the incident, it, however, said that 24 persons were rescued.

The names of the persons who lost their lives were listed as Farida Muntari, Sharhabila Sagir, Abubakar Sadiq, Na’ima Ibrahim, Amina, Safaratu Ibrahim, Sadiq Ibrahim, Rafiya Yakubu, and two unidentified victims.

The agency explained that one body had been recovered death, while search operations continued for others, disclosing that water hyacinth, strong waves, and a grafting tree were identified as the cause of the accident.